ISLAMABAD, June 25: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said that he did not need any dictation from the opposition on how to run the house.

He said this in response to the remarks of the MMA leader, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, in the National Assembly.

Mr Jamali said: "We are in majority and our voices and cries are stronger than (those of) opposition but we want to run this house peacefully and honourably."

He said it was the collective responsibility of the house to uphold parliamentary norms and traditions and avoid mud slinging.

He implored both the opposition and the treasury benches to cooperate in running the assembly in a peaceful manner and avoid any controversy that could disrupt its proceeding.

"I have made it clear on the floor of the house that the National Security Council is not supra-parliament (body) and the opposition should refrain from making the NSC an issue," he said.

Later, while presiding over a post-budget meeting held at the Prime Minister's Secretariat to review the situation particularly in the oil and gas sector, Prime Minister Jamali directed the ministries of finance and petroleum to gear up steps for speedy implementation of reforms and initiatives proposed in the budget 2004-05.

The prime minister said that the availability of adequate energy resources was critical for achieving a higher economic growth and the government needed to encourage public-private partnership in the production of gas, petroleum and electricity.

He said that Pakistan was already on the path of high growth and investment in the energy sector was needed to achieve a three-year GDP target of eight per cent.

The meeting was attended by ministers of finance Shaukat Aziz, petroleum and natural resources Chaudhry Nauraiz Shakoor, CBR Chairman Abdullah Yousaf and secretaries finance and petroleum and natural resources.

Later, Prime Minister Jamali, while talking with MNAs Ms Oneza Ehsan and Wasi Zafar, said that the government was committed to provide an honest and efficient administration to the people.

Both the MNAs called on the prime minister separately at the Parliament House here.

Ms Ehsan had drawn the prime minister's attention towards the excesses committed by influential people against the people belonging to the rural areas.

Responding to complaints brought forward by the MNA, the Prime Minister said that these excesses would no longer be tolerated and anyone found responsible in this regard would be awarded exemplary punishment.

MNA Wasi Zafar discussed with the Prime Minister matters relating to the implementation and execution of development schemes especially those relating to supply of natural gas in his constituency.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mrs. Rahila Yahya Munnawar also called on the Prime Minister and discussed with him matters pertaining to health with special reference to health of women.-APP